Improvement in cordage-machines



UNITED STATES PATENT EEicEf..

IIAMES P. ARNOLD, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVEMENT IN CORDAGE-IVIACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 17,3l0, dated May 19, 1857.

T0 all zu17/1,0112, it may conccrlu Be it known that I, JAMES P. ARNOLD, of Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented a newand useful Improvement in Oordage-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, which make part of this specification, in which" Figure l represents a perspective view of a cordage-machineembracingmyimprovement. Fig. 2 represents a vertical section through the same,iand Fig. 3 a horizontal section at the line ot' Fig. L.

In cordage machines as heretofore constructed great difficulty has been experienced in giving to the fliers a uniform motion of rotation on their own axes relative to their motion around a central shaft,withont which unequal twist is given to the different strands of the cord, thereby forming uneven cordage. The most certain mode heretofore adapted to effect thisobject has been by means of gearing; but owing to the noise and friction of the gears, their rapid wearing, the expense of keeping them in repair, and renewing them when worn out many other modes have been substituted which are less expensive 4but more imperfect in their operations. Among these may be mentioned the f riction-strap in connection with cylindrical pulleys, the annular smooth and rigid conical track in connection with conical pulleys which yield in their bearings, the elastic band or ring in connection with pulleys whose bearings are fixed, and the buff-wheel rolling upon the surface of an annular track, the pulleys in all these cases being connected to the spindle of the ier, thuscommunicating any irregularties of their motion to the flier. lVith the friction-strap the pulleys are liable to slip in passing t-he point opposite to which the strap is attached to the frame of the machine, as at this point the adhesion between the strap and pulley is diminished, owing to the strap being drawn without the current of revolution ot' the pulleys. Vith the elastic band or ring an uneven surface is formed at the point where its ends are joined together, which is either depressed or elevated with a depression on one or both sides of the protuberance, and in passing thesedepressed points the pulleys slip from the adhesion of the bandsnot being sufficient to turn them. With the rigid track and yielding pulleys the inequalities in the track produce irregularity in the motion of the pulleys, owing to the pulleys yielding to these inequalities, by which the radius of their revolution is constantly changing, thereby giving to them varying velocities in different parts of their circuit. The motion of the buff-wheel is subject to varying velocity from any radial changein the circle of its adhesion which `the slightest want of uniformity in the surface of the track would produce.

The object of my invention is to remedy the before-mentioned defects in the devices used to communicate rotary motion to the fliers; and my invention consists in communicating rotary motion to the fliers on their own axes by means of an elastic track on the concave or convex surface of a rigid circular ring surrounding the fliers, in combination with pulleys attached to the spindles of the fliers by which a uniform rotary motion is given to the ilier in all parts of its circuit.

In the accompanying drawings a cordagemachine which 'embraces my improvement is represented. The frame of the machine consists of a bed-plate L, to which are attached two vertical standards A A2 with spreading feet and connected together at the top by a` cross-platc A3. A rigid circular ring M is lirmly attached to the standards A A2 a short distance above the bed-plate L, and on the concave surface of this' ring is an elastic cushion N, of india-rubber or other elastic material, forming an elastic track which presses against the fliers. In the center of the ring is a vertical shaft B,which rests upon and is supported by suitable bearings, and which has attached to it two circular plates C at convenient distances apart to receive and support fliers E, which are arranged in a circle around the shaft B and turn in bearings formed in the plates near their outer edges. The bottoms D of the fliers, which are cylindrical, are placed at the same level vas the ring M which surrounds them, the elastic cushion N pressing against the foot of all the fliers with sufficient force to insure their rotation as they revolve around the central shaft. A horizontal driving-shaft O passes under the ring and has attached to it a bevel cog-wheel P, which engages with a corresponding wheel Q, attached to the vertical shaft B,to which it communicates motion. As the vertical shaft revolves 'lt carries with it the plates C C, and also the fliers E, giving to the latter a motion of revolution around the central shaft. As the fliers revolve they are caused to turn uniformly on their own axes by the adhesion between the bottoms of the fliers and the elastic cushion N. It will be seen that this mode of communicating motion of rotation to the fliers is not subject to those objections urged against the devices in common use for effecting the same object, as all parts of the elastic track press with adequate force against the pulleys to produce suliicient adhesion between the track and pulleys to insure their turning in parts of their circuit, thus giving to them a uniform motion of rotation. The bearings of the pulleys being fixed, the radius of their circuit of revolution remains constant, and their velocity is therefore not subject to those fluctuations from which flier-pulleys in yielding bearings are seldom, if ever, free.

The little liability of either track or pulley to get out of order, the facility and cheapness with which repairs can be made and parts renewed when Worn out, the slight friction and the softness with which. the pulleys run, and also the uniformity of the motion imparted give to this mode of communicating motion of rotation to the Hier-s a manifest ad vantage over other modes now in use.

I do not claim giving motion of rotation to the Hiers on their own axes by means of a friction band or by pulleys covered with leather in connection with a circular track, these being old and well-known devices and referred to as such in this specification. Neither do I claim the circle or ring composed of a series of segments described in the patent granted to Milton NV-allwork April 7, 1857; but v What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination of a series of two or more pulleys, each pulley arranged to rotate on its own axis and to revolve around a centercommon to all, with a ring concentric to said circle of revolution whose surface adjacent to the pulleys is elastic and forms a track for the pulleys to roll on, substantially in ythe man ner and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed lny name.

JAS. P. ARNOLD.

In presence of- H. M. CURD, S. F. CHIPLEY. 

